AI quick summary
- SRAM RED AXS E1 (2024) groupset: ~2,101 g (disc, no PM) — lightest 12-speed wireless road groupset. ~$4,250. Carbon cranks/cage/levers, ceramic pulley bearings, HollowPin chain, brake contact-point adjust
- Force AXS (2025 E1 update): ~2,522 g, ~$2,850 — copies RED's architecture (carbon cage, 14T lower jockey, Orbit damper) at 60% of the cost. The value pick in the SRAM lineup
- Rival AXS (2025 E1): ~2,712 g, ~$1,950 — cheapest wireless electronic road groupset. Aluminum cranks (with cutouts), mechanically sprung clutch (no Orbit), single-sided power meter only
- All three tiers use the same AXS wireless protocol and are cross-compatible: mix Rival derailleur with RED shifters, pair 1×13 XPLR with 2×12 road. UDH required for the XPLR Full Mount derailleur
- SRAM vs Shimano: SRAM is 1-finger braking (repositioned lever pivot), wider cassette range (10-36T vs 11-34T), and 1× options Shimano doesn't offer. Shimano shifts marginally faster and is lighter at the top end
/ 01
What AXS changed and what the E1 update means
AXS is SRAM's umbrella brand for its wireless electronic components — every AXS derailleur pairs to every AXS shifter over encrypted 2.4 GHz, no junction boxes, no internal batteries, no wires. Each derailleur runs on its own rechargeable battery (clip-on for road, integrated for XPLR Transmission). Shifters run on CR2032 coin cells that last ~6 months.
The E1 designation (2024-2025) is the current generation. E1 RED launched May 2024; E1 Force and Rival followed June 2025. The E1 update is significant: Force and Rival adopted RED's hood ergonomics, brake geometry (repositioned pivot for 1-finger braking), and derailleur architecture. The D1/D2 numbers you'll see on discount sites are the previous generation — lighter ergonomics, older brake feel, but functionally still AXS.
/ 02
Groupset total weights (disc brake, 2×12, E1 generation)
SRAM E1 2×12 groupset weights — same measurement methodology across tiers (no power meter, 172.5 mm cranks, 48/35 chainrings, 160 mm Center Lock rotors)
| Component | RED AXS E1 | Force AXS E1 | Rival AXS E1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crankset (48/35, 172.5 mm) | 689 g | 748 g | 844 g |
| Rear derailleur (no battery) | 262 g | 328 g | 366 g |
| Front derailleur (no battery) | 145 g | 182 g | 182 g |
| Cassette (10-28T RED / 10-30T) | 545 g | 748 g | 282 g |
| Shift/brake system L+R (with hoses, calipers, pads) | 180+180 g | 273 g | 282 g |
| Chain (114 links) | 232 g | 242 g | 266 g |
| Brake calipers (pair) | 141 g each | 116 g each | 118 g each |
| Bottom bracket (BSA) | 24 g each | 24 g each | 24 g each |
| Battery (×2, charged) | — | — | — |
| TOTAL (disc, no PM) | ~2,101 g | ~2,522 g | ~2,712 g |
| TOTAL (with spindle PM) | ~2,496 g | ~2,776 g | ~2,993 g |
/ 03
Cranks & Chainrings
SRAM uses a 1-piece direct-mount crank with a DUB 28.99 mm spindle — incompatible with Shimano's 24 mm Hollowtech II BBs (you need a DUB-specific BB). RED uses hollow carbon arms co-developed with Zipp; Force uses solid carbon; Rival uses aluminum arms with a machined cutout that saves ~50 g over solid alloy. The new XPLR 1× cranks use a Threadmount spider-chainring interface (replaceable rings).
Chainring sizes: RED offers 50/37, 48/35, 46/33 (the 50/37 is the aero option for crit/TT). Force offers 48/35, 46/33. Rival offers 46/33 plus three meter-kit options. 1× road: 40T up to 50T for RED XPLR. The 48/35 chainring is the most common 2× road size across all three tiers.
Crankset comparison (E1)
| Spec | RED AXS | Force AXS | Rival AXS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm material | Hollow carbon (Zipp layup) | Solid carbon | Aluminum with cutout |
| Spindle | DUB 28.99 mm | DUB 28.99 mm | DUB 28.99 mm |
| Weight (48/35, 172.5 mm) | 689 g | 748 g | 844 g |
| 2× chainring options | 50/37, 48/35, 46/33 | 48/35, 46/33 | 46/33 + meter kits |
| 1× chainring range (XPLR) | 40–50T | 42–50T | 38–46T |
| Crank lengths | 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, 175 mm | 160, 165, 170, 172.5, 175 mm | 160, 165, 170, 172.5, 175 mm |
| Power meter option | Quarq spindle (dual-sided) | Quarq spindle (single or dual) | Quarq spindle (single-sided only) |
| Approx. retail (USD, with PM) | ~$1,650 | ~$900 | ~$500 |
/ 04
Cassettes
SRAM road cassettes mount on XDR freehubs (not Shimano HG). The 10T smallest cog is what lets SRAM achieve a wider overall range than Shimano's 11T-start cassettes. All four ranges — 10-28T, 10-30T, 10-33T, 10-36T — are available across all three tiers, giving sub-1:1 gearing even at the entry tier. RED's XG-1250 is a single-block machined XDome cassette (lightest); Force uses a 4-cog block + pinned steel; Rival is fully pinned steel (heaviest, longest-lasting).
The XPLR 1×13 cassettes are a different beast: 10-46T single block, 13 speeds, only fits XDR. These require the XPLR Full Mount derailleur (UDH frame). The 13-speed chain is a different Flattop variant — not cross-compatible with 12-speed Flattop.
Cassette comparison
| Spec | XG-1250 (RED) | XG-1270 (Force) | XG-1230 (Rival) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (10-30T) | 232 g | 273 g | 282 g |
| Construction | Single-block XDome machined steel | Hybrid: 4-cog steel block + pinned | Fully pinned steel |
| Available ranges | 10-28, 10-30, 10-33, 10-36T | 10-28, 10-30, 10-33, 10-36T | 10-28, 10-30, 10-33, 10-36T |
| XPLR 1×13 (10-46T) weight | ~330 g | ~360 g | ~390 g |
| Freehub | XDR | XDR | XDR |
| Approx. retail (USD, 10-30T) | $380 | $200 | $120 |
/ 05
Derailleurs
The rear derailleur is where SRAM's tier differences are most visible. RED and Force both use the Orbit fluid damper (chain tension management for rough roads) and a 14T lower jockey wheel. Rival uses a mechanically sprung clutch — functional, slightly less refined. RED adds ceramic bearings to both jockey wheels; Force uses steel. All three are 12-speed Flattop compatible and rebuildable.
Front derailleur: RED officially goes to 56/43T chainrings; Force and Rival top out at 50T. All are wedge-mounted braze-on (with frame-specific clamps for round tubes). The 56T max on RED is what makes the 50/37 and 56/43 chainring options possible — only RED supports those.
Rear derailleur comparison
| Spec | RED AXS | Force AXS | Rival AXS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (no battery) | 262 g | 328 g | 366 g |
| Max cassette (Flattop road) | 10-36T | 10-36T | 10-36T |
| Lower jockey wheel | 14T (ceramic bearings) | 14T (steel bearings) | 12T (steel bearings) |
| Chain management | Orbit fluid damper | Orbit fluid damper | Mechanical clutch |
| Cage material | Carbon fiber | Carbon outer link | Aluminum |
| Rebuildable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| XPLR Full Mount option (UDH) | Yes (1×13) | Yes (1×13) | Yes (1×13) |
| Battery | Clip-on rechargeable (shared with FD) | Same | Same |
| Approx. retail (USD) | $770 | $480 | $330 |
/ 06
Brakes: the SRAM differentiator
SRAM's 2024-2025 brake update is the biggest functional story across the three tiers. By repositioning the brake lever pivot, SRAM increased leverage enough to claim true 1-finger braking — meaningfully less hand force for the same stopping power than Shimano's servo-wave system. All three tiers got this update. RED adds brake contact-point (bite point) adjustment; Force and Rival have reach adjust only.
Brake fluid is DOT 5.1 (NOT Shimano's mineral oil — never mix). SRAM uses the Stealthamajig hose fitting (simpler than Shimano's banjo). Pads are SRAM A1/A2 sintered or organic — cross-compatible across Red/Force/Rival calipers. Rotors are Center Lock or 6-bolt; SRAM's own Paceline A2 rotors are 160 mm = ~95 g, comparable to Shimano RT-CL900.
Brake comparison (E1 generation)
| Spec | RED AXS | Force AXS | Rival AXS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliper weight (each) | 141 g | 116 g | 118 g |
| Lever blade material | Carbon | Composite (carbon-reinforced) | Aluminum |
| Reach adjust | Yes (tool-free) | Yes (tool-free) | Yes (tool-free) |
| Contact-point (bite) adjust | Yes | No | No |
| 1-finger braking geometry | Yes (repositioned pivot) | Yes | Yes |
| Caliper mount | Flat Mount | Flat Mount | Flat Mount |
| Brake fluid | DOT 5.1 | DOT 5.1 | DOT 5.1 |
| Hose fitting | Stealthamajig | Stealthamajig | Stealthamajig |
| Rotor sizes | 140, 160, 180 mm | 140, 160, 180 mm | 140, 160, 180 mm |
/ 07
Chains
All SRAM road AXS groupsets use the Flattop chain — the rollers are larger than Shimano's, and the chain is directional (logos face outboard). Flattop chains work across all three tiers and across 2×12 and 1×13 XPLR. The 13-speed XPLR chain is a separate Flattop variant though — don't mix 12 and 13 speed.
RED uses HollowPin construction (hollowed rivets for ~13 g weight savings) with advanced plating. Force has solid pins with plate cutouts. Rival uses solid pins, no cutouts. All include a Flattop PowerLock (reusable quick-link).
Chain comparison (114 links)
| Spec | RED Flattop | Force Flattop | Rival Flattop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 232 g | 242 g | 266 g |
| Pin construction | HollowPin | Solid (plate cutouts) | Solid |
| Quick-link | PowerLock (reusable) | PowerLock (reusable) | PowerLock (reusable) |
| Finish | Silver or iridescent | Silver or purple | Silver |
| Speeds | 12 (road 2×), 13 (XPLR separate chain) | 12, 13 separate | 12, 13 separate |
| Approx. retail (USD) | $70 | $50 | $35 |
/ 08
SRAM vs Shimano: the honest comparison
Weight: at the top tier, Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 (~2,058 g) is ~40 g lighter than SRAM RED AXS E1 (~2,101 g). At the entry tier, the gap flips — SRAM Rival (~2,712 g) is ~150 g lighter than Shimano 105 (~2,562 g... actually heavier). SRAM wins the entry tier, Shimano wins the top tier, by slim margins either way.
Shifting: Shimano's Di2 shifts marginally faster and with a more definitive click. SRAM's AXS shifts are softer, slightly slower, but the wireless setup is dramatically simpler to install and the AXS app gives much more customization (sequential shifting, multi-shift, blip mapping).
Braking: SRAM's 1-finger geometry is a real, felt advantage — less hand fatigue on long descents. Shimano's servo-wave is more initial bite but more hand force. Both excellent; SRAM edges it for feel.
Range: SRAM's 10T-start cassettes give wider range (10-36T = 360% range) vs Shimano's 11T-start (11-34T = 309%). For climbing, SRAM. 1× options exist only on SRAM. Di2 vs AXS battery life is similar (~60 h per charge).
Ecosystem: Shimano's Di2 is closed (Shimano shifters, Shimano derailleurs, Shimano app). SRAM's AXS is more open — works with third-party blips, the AXS Web dashboard, and is more friendly to mixed builds. Shimano is more polished; SRAM is more flexible.
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